Federal Immigration Agent Charged With Assault After Video Contradicts Sworn Statements
Minneapolis, Monday, 18 May 2026.
An immigration agent faces felony assault charges in Minnesota after video evidence contradicted his sworn self-defense claims regarding the January 2026 shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant.
Unraveling the Official Narrative
The federal government’s account rapidly unraveled in the weeks following the incident. By February 2026, the Justice Department (DOJ) filed a motion to dismiss the federal charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna [1]. In a striking admission, the DOJ stated that federal prosecutors had provided incorrect information to the court, and ICE acknowledged that its agents had made false statements under oath [1]. Video evidence from the Minneapolis scene contradicted the agents’ sworn testimony, showing Sosa-Celis dropping a shovel and fleeing indoors as an agent fired in their direction [4]. Following this revelation, two federal agents involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave [1].
Broader Implications of Operation Metro Surge
The shooting of Sosa-Celis was not an isolated incident of violence during the winter implementation of Operation Metro Surge. The intensive enforcement policy resulted in three people being shot by federal agents in Minnesota, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti [2][4]. The deaths sparked violent protests in Minneapolis and deepened the rift between local officials and federal agencies [1][2]. In March 2026, Hennepin County sued the Trump administration to gain access to evidence related to both the Sosa-Celis case and the killings of Good and Pretti, following federal agencies’ refusal to share information with state investigators [2][4].